Jessica Pegula, the daughter of billionaire sports owners Terry and Kim Pegula, is making a name for herself as a tennis star and a skincare entrepreneur. The 28-year-old American is ranked third in the world and has reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open for the third consecutive year. She is also the founder of Ready 24, a line of skincare products designed for active and busy lifestyles.
A Breakthrough Year in Tennis
Pegula had a breakthrough year in 2022, winning her second WTA title at the Silicon Valley Classic, reaching the semifinals of the US Open, and qualifying for the WTA Finals for the first time. She also defeated world No. 1 Iga Światek in the opening match of the United Cup semifinal in Sydney earlier this month, setting the tone for her impressive run at the Australian Open.
Pegula credits her success to her hard work, confidence, and resilience. She has overcome several injuries and surgeries in her career, including a torn labrum in her right hip that sidelined her for eight months in 2016. She also had to deal with the pressure and expectations that come with being the daughter of wealthy and influential parents.
“I think I’ve always had to prove myself a little bit more, just because of who my parents are,” Pegula said, according to Forbes. “I think people always kind of doubt you or think that maybe you don’t work as hard or you don’t deserve it. But I think that’s also motivated me and pushed me to want to be better and want to prove people wrong.”
A Passion for Skincare and Beauty
Pegula’s passion for skincare and beauty started from a young age, as she struggled with troubled skin and tried various products and treatments. She realized that the more simplified and natural her skincare routine was, the better her skin looked and felt. She also noticed that there was a lack of skincare products that catered to her active and on-the-go lifestyle, which involved daily practice, frequent flights, and extended sun exposure.
That’s why she decided to create her own line of skincare products, Ready 24, in 2017. The brand offers products in four basic categories: Square One (cleansers), Balance (essence water), Defense (moisturizer), and Recovery (face mask, eye cream). The products are made with clean and simple ingredients, and are designed to be easy to use and effective.
“Our ingredients are clean and simple, and so should your skincare,” the brand’s website states. “We know you’re active. We know you’re always on-the-go. We know it’s hard to find products that are clean and reliable. That’s why we created Ready 24.”
Pegula worked with The Advantage Co, a company based in her hometown of Buffalo, New York, to develop and launch her brand. She also tested her products with her close friends, who shared her interest in skincare and beauty. She said that her brand is not only a business venture, but also a way to express her personality and creativity.
“I think it’s fun to have something that’s yours and that you can kind of put your stamp on,” Pegula said, according to WTA. “I think it’s cool to have something that’s different from tennis, but also kind of relates to it in a way.”
A Bright Future Ahead
Pegula has a bright future ahead of her, both on and off the court. She is one of the contenders for the Australian Open title, and has a chance to become the first American woman to win a Grand Slam singles title since Serena Williams in 2017. She is also growing her skincare brand, and has plans to expand her product range and reach more customers.
Pegula said that she is grateful for the opportunities and challenges that she has faced in her career, and that she hopes to inspire others with her story.
“I think it’s important to show people that you can do anything you want, no matter what your background is, no matter what your situation is,” Pegula said, according to CNN. “You can always work hard and achieve your goals.”
